Flying from Johannesburg to Chicago: what you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), is where many great holidays begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago.
When it comes to working out where to land in Chicago, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the chief entry points.
To ensure you catch your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
If you have a passport from South Africa, you will need an embassy visa to enter United States. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Chicago for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check the visa rules before you make travel plans and definitely before flying.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
We make it simple to find a flight from Johannesburg to Chicago that includes a stopover. To see all your options departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Travelling from central Johannesburg to JNB takes approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 18 miles in 29 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Johannesburg to Chicago? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near O.R. Tambo International Airport:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is roughly 25 miles. It'll take you around 35 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 54 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Johannesburg to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is around 12 miles from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 21 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 46 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near MDW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago:
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Chicago
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Chicago is £458. For a return flight on this route, the best price is £649. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Chicago if you book ahead. Airlines often have some excellent early bird discounts.
Finding cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Chicago is more likely if you can be flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to show the lowest fares throughout the month and snap up a great deal.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Chicago every day.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Johannesburg to Chicago, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago. August is the most popular month to visit Chicago. If you want a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
When booking your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago, think about the kind of weather you like best. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 29ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC and 3ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Chicago sometime around then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are a couple of big attractions to add to your Chicago to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
Explore our range of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from Johannesburg to Chicago. Whether you're looking for an economy ride, a standard vehicle or something more luxurious, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.
